In an era when comic standards were more commonly strict, the late actor and comedian were appreciated for his freestyle comedy. Though he is better known by his stage name, Redd Foxx, his actual name is a reference to the sitcom that started his career.
This article provides information about the actor Redd Foxx Net Worth, age, real name, spouse, son, family, house, shows, movies, and death.
Redd Foxx Early Life:
His birthdate is December 9th, 1922, and his birth name was John Elroy Sanford. His parents’ names are Fred Sanford and Mary Hughes. His father was an auto mechanic and electrician.
Foxx was only four years old when he abruptly abandoned his family. He subsequently moved to Chicago to live with his mother and grandmother, where he grew up with his older brother, Fred Jr. Foxx’s early interest in performing was a sign of his lifelong passion for it.
At sixteen, he and his band, the Jump Swinging Six, appeared on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour radio program. Foxx went by some nicknames before settling on the one that would make him famous.
According to Get.TV, Malcolm X gave him the nickname “Chicago Red” because his hair was the same shade of red. He soon earned the nickname “Foxy” from his peers. These two nicknames were eventually merged into his current name.
Quick Bio Of Redd Foxx:
| Date Of Birth | Dec 9, 1922 - Oct 11, 1991 |
|---|---|
| Place Of Birth | St. Louis |
| Age | 68 Years Old |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in |
| Professional | Comedian, Actor, Screenwriter |
| Nationality | United States Of America |
| Net Worth | $3.5 Million |
Professional Life Of Redd Foxx:
Foxx began his stand-up comedy career at New York City’s nightclubs on the Chitlin Circuit, which is noted for being more welcoming to black comedians. He became famous as a popular stand-up comedian in the United States.
He eventually made regular TV appearances and saw consistent record sales. Following his debut in “Cotton Comes to Harlem,” Norman Lear cast Jamie Foxx in his sitcom, “, Sanford and Son.”.
He was a regular on the show until 1977 when a contract dispute is said to have caused him to leave. He worked until the day he died.
After leaving Sanford and Son, he went on to seek a career in movies, starring opposite his good friend Della Reese in the smash hit Eddie Murphy’s Harlem Nights. CBS cast Reese and Foxx in The Royal Family after watching them in a movie together.
Redd Foxx Net Worth
During his lifetime, American actor and comedian Redd Foxx lost $3.5 million. At the time of his passing, he had a tax bill of more than $3.5 million.
Redd Foxx Shows:
Foxx’s nightclub stand-up helped launch his career. He moved to the East Coast from Chicago to tour. He got his big break after Dinah Washington encouraged him to come to L.A. Dootsie Williams of Dootone heard him there. He released cult comedy CDs after obtaining a long-term contract.
Foxx entered the culture with “Sanford and Son,” a version of “Steptoe and Son.” Demond Wilson played Fred G. Sanford, Foxx’s father, and brother.
The NBC series lasted from 1972 through 1978. It helped develop black situational humor.
Through his leading role, Foxx hired Slappy White, Don Bexley, LaWanda Page, and Beah Richards.
In 1986, ABC gave Foxx “The Redd Foxx Show.” After 12 episodes, low ratings forced the show’s cancellation. He played Obi-Wan Kenobi in a “Donny & Marie” special. He played the main character in “Harlem Nights,” which he wrote, produced, and directed. He starred in “The Royal Family” in 1991.
Redd Foxx Stand-Ups:
Redd Foxx’s bawdy comedy records and performance on “Sanford and Son” made him famous. His obscene nightclub performances made him famous in the 1950s and 1960s. Foxx has been featured on over 50 albums, earning him the title “King of the Party Records.”
In 2004, he was ranked at number 24 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time, which was featured in their special Comedy Central Presents: The 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time.
Redd Foxx Awards
He was nominated for three more Golden Globes, and he won one for Best TV Actor in a Comedy for his work on Sanford and Son. The list of Foxx achievements includes:
- Two Image Awards
- Three nominations for the Primetime Emmy.
How old is Redd Foxx:
According to his birthdate, he was 68 years old.
Redd Foxx Real Name:
His full name is John Elroy Sanford his birthplace is the city of St. Louis, Missouri.
Redd Foxx Spouse/Wife:
Foxx four times married in his life. He married Evelyn Killebrew for the first time in 1948. In 1951, after eight years, they decided to separate. In 1956, he married Betty Jean Harris. They met while performing at the same club. Harris gave up her career to care for their adopted daughter, Debraca.
Before their divorce, the result of Foxx’s marital problems handled, Foxx’s corporate operations and scheduling. They were married for 18 years. Foxx married Joi Yun Chi Chung in Las Vegas in 1976. Joi was 20 years younger than Foxx, they met and worked as bar waitresses.
Foxx and Cho tied the knot in July of 1991. They first met in a hotel in Las Vegas. Foxx said that Cho had stuck with him through hard times financially. He was grateful for her help. A few months after his wedding, Foxx collapsed on the set of “The Royal Family” due to a heart attack.
Redd Foxx Brother
Redd Foxx, the character, was fashioned after his brother Fred Glenn Sanford Jr. (Fred died in 1965, seven years before the show premiere). Fred is a nasty, widower junk salesman. He and his son Lamont run “Sanford and Son” from their house. Foxx starred in all but nine episodes in 1974 due to a contract disagreement with NBC.
Redd Foxx Cause of Death:
Queen of the Angels Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center staff declared Redd dead, after 4 hours in the hospital. He died due to a sudden heart attack.
Redd Foxx Death:
Foxx was on the set of The Royal Family, making his coworkers laugh when the accident occurred. his chest tightly held, he collapsed to the floor. This motion eventually became a trademark of his act on Sanford and Son. The difference this time was that it happened.
Rachel McCallister, a representative from the studio, addressed the news of his untimely passing. It had already been too long. Tragically, a television and comedy legend had passed away. Even after 30 years, Foxx is still a household name in the comedy world.
Redd Foxx House:
In Sin City, Redd Foxx made his home. In addition, his neighborhood is only a 10-minute drive from the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip. When it was found that he owed the government $3.5 million in back taxes, the mansion and his land were taken away.
The home is about 3,000 square feet and contains three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property’s beautiful little palm trees set the mood for a tropical getaway. Plus, today, they go by the name Shannon Day Realty.
Redd Foxx Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: What was Redd Foxx net worth when he died?
Ans: Redd Foxx net worth was -$3.5 million. At the time of his death, he had over $3.5 million in debt.
Q: What was the real name of Redd Foxx?
Ans: Redd Foxx’s birth name is John Elroy Sanford.
Q: What happened to Redd Foxx’s estate?
Ans: On October 11, 1991, Redd Foxx passed away. It would seem that there are no assets in the Estate. There is still a sizable tax obligation to pay ($3.6 million as of the date he passed away) that could be a problem.
Q: How many times did Redd Foxx marry?
Ans: He was married four times.
Q: How much did Redd Foxx owe in taxes?
A: Foxx has an IRS debt of $755,166. He blamed his problems on racism and the government. Two years later, he passed away without a single cent to his name.
